Paper dispenser



Feb. 17, 1959 D. MCDONALD PAPER DISPENSER 5 Sheeis-Sheet 2 Filed Nov.l2, 1955 INVENTOR. DONALD vrvmDolv/ELD BY E I q H i S ATTO R N E YS 3Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. l2, 1953 JNVENToR. DONALD Mc DONALD HlsATTORNEYS United States Patent O PAPER DISPENSER Donald McDonald,Dayton, Ohio; Joanne Louise Mc- Donald, as commissioner to transferproperty of said Donald McDonald, deceased, assgnor to herselfApplication November 12, 1953, Serial No. 391,587

Claims. (Cl. 242-5551) This invention relates to a paper dispenser andmore particularly to a dispenser of the type used in dispensing papertoweling material. However, the'invention is not so limited due to thefact that it may be used with other types of paper, and may also be usedto dispense any type of strip material.

It is an object of this invention to provide a paper dispenser in whichthe user has access to only a portion of the paper which is to be cut otby the user during an operation of the paper dispenser of thisinvention. This object is accomplished by providing a dispenser in whicha small amount of paper is automatically exposed from the device aftereach cutting operation of the device. The user, therefore, may manuallygrasp the portion of the paper which is normally exposed and extend thestrip to any desired length before the device is operated to sever thatdesired length from the remainder of the strip.

More particularly it is an object of this invention to provide adispenser in which pressure on a spring biased lever iirst severs apredetermined quantity of paper as the lever is pushed inwardly andprepares to resiliently operate lto dispense a new portion of paper asthe lever moves outwardly. i

Another object of this invention is to provide a paper dispenser inwhich standard rolls of paper may be inserted and replaced readily andeasily.

Another object of the invention is to provide a paper dispenser in whichconstant restraining pressure against rotation is exerted upon the rollof paper in the dispenser.

Another object of this invention is to provide a practical dispenserwhich may be manufactured at low cost.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dispenser which isquiet in operation. `Other objects and advantages reside in theconstruction of parts, the combination thereof and the mode ofoperation, as will become more apparent from the following description.

In the drawing,

Figure l is a perspective View of a paper dispenser of this invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view showing the cover portion in araised position and showing a roll of paper mounted Within the housing.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary front elevational View of 'the paper dispenserof this invention with parts broken away, showing a pivotally mountedcylinder holding arm attached to the housing of the dispenser.

Figure 4 is a side sectional view disclosing the elements within thehousing of the dispenser as the elements are normally positioned. n,

,Figure 5 is a side sectional view disclosing the position of theelements within the dispenser when kthe push plate or lever has beenpartially actuated and the cutting element has engaged the strip ofpaper.

Figure 6 is a side sectional view showing a portion of the lcover of thehousing broken away and disclosing the position of the elements withinthe dispenser when the Mice strip of paper has been severed and the pushplate or lever has been fully actuated.

Figure 7 is a side sectional view similar to Figure 6 and disclosing theposition of the elements within the housing when a section of paper hasbeen cut and the elements of the device are in position to operate toexpose another predetermined length of paper from the dispenser.

Figure 8 is a sectional View with parts broken away disclosing themanner in which a cylinder upon which paper is rolled is engaged by acylinder holding arm when there is substantially a full roll of paper onthe cylinder.

Figure 9 is a section view similar to Figure 8 and showing the manner inwhich the cylinder is engaged by the cylinder holding arm when there isa small roll of paper on the cylinder.

tal portion 12 which extends the length of the frame 10.

At each end of the frame 10 and supported in a generally verticalposition at each end of the horizontal portion 12 is a support arm 14lpivotally attached to the horizontal portion 12 by means of hinges 16. Apair of helical springs 18 is attached to the frame 10 and each helicalspring 1S is attached to an arm 14, resiliently biasing the support arms14 one toward the other. Attached to each 'of the support arms 14 is astem 19 terminating in a cone 20, adjacent the upper end thereof asclearly shown in Figure 3. The cone 20 is adapted to engage a cylinder,such as cylinder 22 shown in Figures 3,l 8 and 9, upon which a strip ofpaper is rolled. The stems 19, in cooperation with the helical springs18, provide a fixed amount of resistance to the rotation of the cylinder22.

Each stern 19 comprises a cylindrical portion 21 adjacent the cone 20and an annular curved portion 23 adjacent the arm 14. The cone 20provides means by which the cylinder 22 may be easily aligned with thestem 19. It is noted that the inner diameter of the cylinder 22 islarger than the cylindrical portion 21 of the stern 19. When asubstantially full roll of paper such as shown in Figure 8 is supportedby the stem 19, the Weight of the paper is sufficient to cause thecylinder 22 to rest on the cylindrical portion 21 of the stern 19. Thetension of the spring 18 is insufficient to pull the support arm 14inwardly to fully engage the curved portion 23 ofthe stem 19 against theweight of the roll of paper until the roll of paper has decreased insize and its Weight is reduced suiliciently so that the weight of theroll of paper is overcome by the spring 18 and the spring 18 is able topull the arm 14 inwardly to engage the curved portion 23 with thecylinder 22, as shown in Figure 9. When the cylinder 22 is resting onlyupon the cylindrical portion 21 of the stem 19 the surface area of thecylinder 22, engaged by the cylindrical portion 21, is comparativelysmall. However, the Weight of the roll of paper is comparatively great.As the roll of paper decreases in size, the weight becomes smaller andthe tension of the spring 18 is able to gradually pull the stem 19deeper into the cylinder 22. As the depth of the stem 19 within thecylinder 22 becomes greater, a larger surface area of the cylinder 22 iscontacted by the curved portion 23 of the stem 19. Therefore, the totalsurface area is greater but the total weight upon the surface issmaller. Thence, the frictional force of the cylinder 22 against thestem 19 remains substantially constant as the roll of paper decreases insize. In other words, the spring 18 and the stem 19 are so created andarranged that the weight of the cylinder 22 upon the stem 19 is alwaysIbalanced by the spring 18 so that constant pressure is maintained by thecylinder 22 against the stem 19. As the weight upon the lstem becomesless, the spring 18 pulls the arm 14 a greater distance inwardly so thatthe cylinder 22 rides a greater amount upon the curved portion 23 and agreater surface area of the cylinder is engaged. Thence, the pullingforce necessary to pull the strip paper from the roll remainssubstantially constant regardless of the size of the roll of paper.Therefore, a person using paper from the dispenser iinds that the forcenecessary to pull the paper is always the same, and the person will nothave a tendency to pull more paper from the roll when the roll is lightin weight, asoccurs in the use of conventional types of paperdispensers.

A cover member 2d is pivotally attached at the upper portion of theframe lil by means of hinges 26. The cover member 24 has an arcuateportion 25 joining a top portion 27 and a front portion 29 and isprovided with a pair of side portions 3l.

Supported upon the frame lil by means of a bracket 28, above thehorizontal portion l2, is an arcuate guide wall 3@ terminating in aserrated edge portion 33 over which paper 34 passes as it leaves theroll upon which it is wound, as best shown in Figure 2. The arcuateguide wall Sil extends longitudinally substantially the length of theframe lil so that it is slightly longer than the width of the paper 34.

The cover member 24 is adapted to be raised upwardly as shown in Figure2 when it is desired to place a new roll of paper within the frame itl.One of the arms i4 is pivoted outwardly and the roll is movedlongitudinally into theframe lil under the arcuate guide wall during theprocess of inserting a roll of paper into the dispenser.

Attached to one of the side portions 3l. within the cover member 24 is asupport bracket 36. A pin 3S pivotally supports an arm 49 having an end41 normal thereto. A paper feed tinge-r 42 is pivotally attached to theend 4l of the arm 4%. The paper feed nger 42 is spring biased by meansof a spring 43 so that the paper feed inger 42 tends to rotate in aclockwise direction and thus tends to engage the paper 34- carried uponthe arcuate guide wall 30. Rotatably mounted upon the arm 4d adjacentthe pin 3S is a roller 44. Also attached to the arm 4b* adjacent the-pin33 is a release bracket 46 provided with an abutment portion 48. Aspring member 49 is attached to the arm 4u and to the support bracketand thus biases the arm 4).

Pivotally attached to the front portion 29 of the cover member 24 bymeans of a pin Sil is a push plate or lever 52 provided with a wing 53normally disposed at each end thereof. Also pivotally attached to thefront portion 29 of the cover member 24 by means of the pin 5d is apaper guide plate 54, provided with a serrated edge 55 at the lowerportion thereof. The serrations of the serrated edge 55 are formed so asto be in alignment with the serrations of the serrated portion 33extending from the arcuate guide wall 30. Biasing the paper guide plate54 from the push plate 52 is a helical compression spring 56 which isattached to the guide plate 54 and to the push plate 52. Attached to theinner portion of the push plate 52 and extending normal thereto is alimit bar 58. The limit bar 58 is provided with a leg 64 integraltherewith which is adapted to rest upon a projection 66 of the supportbracket 36 and thus limit the outward movement of the push lever 52 to avertical position, as shown in Figure 4. A stop 68 is attached to theinner wall of the cover member 24 adjacent the bracket 36 and serves asa rest for the arm 4t).

Pivotally attached to the inward portion of the push plate 52 by meansof a lug 70 is an actuator rod 72. The actuator rod 72 is provided atthe end thereof With an arcuate portion 74 and a straight portion 76,the portions being substantially normal one to the other. A helicalspring 78 is attached to the front portion 29 of the cover member 24 bymeans of a rigid hook connector 77. The other end of the helical spring73 is attached to the actuator rod 72 by means of a lug 80. At the lowerend of the push plate or lever 52 is mounted a bracket 82 which supportsa serrated cutter bar 84.

The normal position of the elements within the frame 10 is shown inFigure 4. The paper 34 extending from the roll is positioned over thearcuate guide wall 30 and extends downwardly between the arcuate guidewall 30 and the paper guide plate 54. The strip of paper 34 extends apredetermined distance below the horizontal portion 12 of the frame 10.When it is desired to obtain a length of paper from the dispenser theportion of the strip of paper which extends below the dispenser may begrasped by means of a persons lingers as disclosed in Figure 4. The userthen pulls the paper downwardly until he has a length of paper desiredextending below the dispenser. The user then pushes inwardly upon thepush plate or lever 52. Inward movement of the push plate or lever 52causes the strip of paper to be engaged between the lower portion of thearcuate guide wall 30 and the paper guide plate 54 as shown in Figure 5.Further inward movement of the push plate or lever 52 moves the serratedcutting bar 84 through the strip of paper, severing the strip of paperwith the cooperation of the serrated portion 33 at the lower end of thearcuate guide wall 30 and the serrated edge 55 of the paper guide plate54, as shown in Figure 6.

While the push plate or lever 52 is being pushed inwardly, the actuatorrod 72 is being moved inwardly. The helical spring 78 causes the end ofthe actuator rod 72 to tilt and to move upwardly, as shown in Figure 5.When the push plate has been moved to its maximum inward position, thearcuate portion 74 engages the roller 44 which is supported upon the arm4t). The arcuate portion 74 is firmly retained against the roller 44 bymeans of the spring 78 which tends to pull the actuator rod upwardly andoutwardly, as shown in Figure 6. Therefore, as the manual pressureexerted upon the push plate or lever 52 is released after the paper hasbeen cut, the helical spring 78 with the cooperation of the spring 56causes the actuator rod 72 and the push plate 52 to be moved in thereturn direction toward normal position. The spring 78 also pullsupwardly upon the end of the actuator rod 72 firmly retaining thearcuate portion 74 against the roller 44. Therefore, as the actuator rod72 is moved backward toward normal position the arm 40 is caused torotate in a counter-clockwise direction. During this counterclockwisemovement of the arm 40, the paper finger 42 bears only slightly againstthe paper 34 so that the paper 34 upon the arcuate guide wall 3i) is notpulled in a backward direction. The arm 40 moves in a counterclockwisedirection until it reaches a position as shown in Figure 7. Uponreaching this position the abutment portion 48 of the release bracket 46engages the straight portion 76 of the actuator rod 72 as clearly shownin Figure 7. The abutment .portion 48 of the release bracket 46,therefore, exerts pressure against the straight portion 76 of theactuator rod 72 so that the end of the actuator rod 72 is pusheddownwardly and is disengaged from the roller 44, thus allowing thespring 49 to pull the arm 40 rotatively in a clockwise direction. As thearm 40 moves in its return stroke in a clockwise direction, the paperfeed finger 42 engages the paper 34 upon the arcuate guide wall 30moving the paper 34 downwardly, extending a portion of the strip ofpaper from the dispenser. It may be understood that upon each operationof the arm 40 the return stroke thereof causes a predetermined length ofpaper to be extended from the dispenser.

A comparatively short length of paper, only enough to be convenientlygrasped by `a persons lingers, is all that is necessary to normallyextend below the dispenser.

Therefore, whenever a persondesires to use somevpaper from the dispenserthis short predetermined length of paper extends below the dispenser forhim to grasp and he may pull any desired length below the dispenserbefore he cuts the paper.

It will `be understood that the paper is cut by the inward stroke of thepush plate or lever 52 and with the inward stroke of the push plate orlever 52, the yarm v40 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction to aposition from which it will resiliently return to normal position whileextending a'predetermined length of paper from the dispenser upon therelease of the push plate or lever 52. Upon the return stroke of the arm40 the arm comes to rest againstthe stop 68 which is preferably made ofrubber or like material,. so that the complete operation of thedispenser is accomplished very quietly. The relationship of the spring49 with respect to the spring 78, including the angular relationship ofAeach, is such that upon release of the push plate 52 the spring 78 willcarry 'the arm 40 in counter-clockwise rotation against the tensionexerted by the spring 49 and, after the abutment portion 48 of therelease'bracket 46 has pushed the straight portion 76 so that theactuator arm 72 is disengaged from the roller 44, the spring 49 returnsthe arm 40 to its normal position moving paper downwardly from thedispenser.

Thus it may be understood that the operation of the dispenser of thisinvention allows any desired amount of strip material to be dispensed.In any single operation ,of the dispenser a desired length of strip-material may be-quickly and easily cut and a new predetermined amountof strip material is extended below the dispenser ready to be grasped inorder to obtain the next desired length of strip material;

Although the preferred embodiment of the process has been described, itwill be understood that within the purview of this invention variouschanges may be made in the form, proportion and ingredients and thecombination thereof, which generally stated consist in a method and acompound capable of'carrying out the objects set forth, as disclosed anddefined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. In a paper dispenser comprising a frame, a frame cover pivotallyattached to the frame, a paper support movably attached to the frame, anarcuate paper guide supported by the frame andl partially encircling thepaper support, a push platepivotally attached to the frame cover, apaper feed arm rotatably attached to the frame cover, a paper feed"finger pivotally attached to the paper feed .arm adjacent the endthereof, a spring engaging the paper feed finger and the paper feed armbiasing the paper feed finger, an elongate actuator rod pivotallyattached to the pushplate'- and having an end provided with two portionssubstantially normal one to the other, a roller rotatably supported uponthe paper feed arm at the end thereof opposite -thev paper feed finger,resilient means attached to the paper feed arm adjacent the roller andalso attached to the frame cover, a paperguide and a paper cutterattached to the frame cover, and a release bracket Vattached to thepaper feed arm adjacent the roller and adapted to engagel oneV of theportions at the end ofthe actuator rod.

2. In a paper dispenser of the type containing a roll of paper fromwhich paper is dispensed, comprising a housing, means attached to thehousing forv supporting a roll of paper, a housing cover provided withside walls and pivotally attached to the housing at the upper portionthereof, an arm pivotally attached to one of the side walls, the armhaving a normally extending end portion, a iinger attached to the endportion, a roller attached to the arm adjacent the end opposite theextending portion, a push plate pivotally attached to the housing cover,an actuator rod having an angular end portion adapted to engage theroller, a release bracket attached to the arm adjacent the roller, aspring attached toithe actuator rod and to the housing cover, a springattached to the' arm and to the side Wall of the housing, a stationaryvcutter attached to the housing, and a movable cutter attached to thepush plate. t' l' l 3. In a paper dispenser of the type supportingandenclosing a roll of paper comprising a housing, a cover pivotallyattached to the housing, an arcuate paper guide wall attached to thehousing, a pair of pivotally attached paper roll holders supported bythe housing and disposed within the arcuate paper guide wall, a paperfeed arm pivotally attached to the cover, a finger attached to the paperfeed arm adjacent one end thereof,`a roller supported by the paper feedyarm adjacent the other end thereof, a release bracket attached to thepaper 'feed arm adjacent the roller, a push plate pivotally supported bythe cover, an actuator attached to the push plate and provided with anend portion having an arcuate section and a straight section, thearcuate section being adapted to engage the roller to rotate thepaper-feed arm, resilient means joining the actuator to the cover,resilient means joining the paper feed arm and the housing, a paper cutter attached to the arcuate guide wall, and a complementary paper cutterattached to the push plate.

4. In a paper dispenser for strip'paper material ofthe type wound in aroll comprising a housing provided with a vertical portion and ahorizontal portion, a pair of paper support arms pivotallyr attached tothe horizontal portion and extending upwardly therefrom, an arcuateguide wall terminating in a serrated edge attached to thefhorizontalportion and extending upwardly therefrom, the yarcuate guide Wall beingpositioned intermediate the paper support arms, a housing coverpivotally attached to the vertical portion of the housing, the housingcover being provided with a horizontal upper portion and a verticalfront portion and having a pair of side portions, a lever memberpivotally attached to the vertical front portion ofthe housing cover andextending the' length thereof, a paper guide plate also pivotallyattached to the vertical front portion of the housing cover, a pinattached to one of the side portions of thehousing cover substantiallyconcentric with the arcuate guide wall of the housing and adjacentthereto, a paper feed arm pivotally attached to the pin, a paper feednger pivotally attachedr to the paper feed arm adjacent the end thereof,a spring attached to the paper feednger biasing the finger toward thearcuate guide Wall, a stop member attached to the housing coverproviding a rest for the paper feed arm, a release bracket attached tothe paper feed arm, a roller rotatably attached to the paper feed armadjacent the release bracket, an actuator rod pivotally attached to thelever member, the actuator rod being provided with an arcuate portionand a straight portion at the end thereof, a spring attached to thepaper feed armadjacent the roller and attached to said side portion ofthe housing cover, a spring member attached to the actuator rod and tothe vertical front portion of Ithe housing cover, and a serrated cuttingbar attached to the lever member and cooperable with the paper guide andthe serrated edge of the arcuate guide wall to sever the paper.

5. In a paper dispenser for strip material of the vtype wound in a roll,the combination comprising a housing provided with a vertical portionand a horizontal portion, a pair of paper support arms pivotallyattached to the horizontal portion and extending upwardly therefrom, anarcuate guide wall attached to the horizontal portion and extendingupwardly therefrom, a housing cover pivotally attached to the verticalportion of the housing, the housing cover having a pair of sideportions, a lever member movably attached to the housing cover, a paperguide plate resiliently biased from the lever member, a paper feed armpivotally attached to one of the side portions of the housing cover, arelease bracket attached to the paper feed arm, a roller rotatablyattached to the paper feed arm adjacent the release bracket, an actuatorrod pivotally attached to the. lever member, resilient means-attacheditothe paper feed arm adjacent-the roller an'clattached to a side portionof the housing cover, resilient means attached to the actuator rod andto the housing cover, and a serrated cutting bar attached to the levermember.

t 6. In` a paper dispenser of the typey supportingl and enclosing a rollof paper wound upon a cylinder, the combination comprising ahousing, acover pivotally` attached to the housing, an arcuate paper guide wallattached to the housing, a pair of pivotally attached paper holder armssupported by the housing and disposed within the arcuate paper guidewall, a stem attached to each paper holder arm and adapted to engage acylinder upon which paper is wound, a paper feedy arm pivotally attachedto the cover andengageable with the guidewall for movement of papersupported by the guide wall, the paper feed arm having a normal positionand an operating position, aroller supported by :the paper feed armadjacent' the other end thereof, a release bracket attached to the paperfeed arm adjacent the roller, a push plate pivotally supported by thecover, an actuating rod attached to' the push plate and having a portionadapted to engage the roller to actuate the paper feed arm, means;biasing the actuator arm toward the feed arm, means urging the paperfeed arm to its normal position, and means urging the push plate in adirection to cause the actuating arnrto move the feed arm to itsoperating position.

7. In a paper dispenser comprising a frame, a cover attached to theframe, means supportedby the frame for supporting a roll of paper, guideWall meansattached to the frame adjacent the rst said means forsupporting paper extending from the roll, pivotally mounted paper feedmeans supported by the cover and engageable with paper supported by theguide wall means, an actuator plate attached to the cover andmovabletoward and away from the paper feed means,v the paper feed means beingmovable toward and away from the actuator plate, actuator means attachedto the actuator plate and having arcuate means engageable with the paperfeed means for movement thereof, spring means attached to the' actuatormeans for urging movement of the paper feed means in a direction awayfrom the actuator plate, and spring means attached to the paper feedmeans for urging movement thereof toward the actuator plate.

'8. In a mechanism for dispensing strip materiall comprising a housing,a cover member cooperating with the housing, means supported by thehousing for supporting a supply of strip material, a guide wall, theguide wall supportingT strip material extending from the supply thereof,pivotally mounted strip material feed means supported by the housing andmovable between a normal position and an operating position, the stripmaterial feed means being engageable with strip material supported bythe guide wall, the strip material feed means engaging the stripmaterial supported by the guide wall moving the strip material from thesupply thereof upon movement of the feed means from its operatingposition to its normal position7 an actuator plate movably attached tothe cover member, actuator means attached to the actuator plate formovement thereby and engageable with the stripmaterial feed means formovement of the feed means to its operating position, resilient meansattached to the actuator plate for causing the actuator means to movethev strip material feed means' from its normal position tofitsoperating position, and resilient means attached-to the stripmaterialfeed means urging movement of the strip material feed means fromits operaing position to its normal position.

9. In a mechanism for dispensing strip materialy comprising a housing,va cover member cooperating with the housing, means supported by thehousing for supporting a supply of strip material, a guide wall, theguide Wall supportingv strip material extending from the supply thereof,pivotally mounted strip material feed means supported by the housing andmovable betweena normal position and an operating position, the stripmaterial feed means being engageable with strip material supported bythe guide wall, the strip material feed means engaging the stripmaterialsupported by the guide wall moving the strip material from the supplythereof upon movement of the feed means from its. operating position toits normal position, an actuator plate pivotally. attached to the covermember and mova'ble toward and away from the feed means,- actuator meansattached to the actuator plate for movement thereby, the actuator meansengaging the feed means during movement of the actuator plate toward thefeed means, resilient means attached to the actuator plate urgingmovement of the actuator plate away from thefeed means to move the feedmeans from its normal position to its operating position, and resilientmeans attached to the feed means urging movement thereof from itsoperating` position to its normal position.

10. ln a dispenser of the type used for dispensing a strip of materialcomprising a housing, means carried by the housing for supporting asupply of strip material, a cover cooperating with the housingV forenclosing said supply of strip material, strip material feed means, saidfeed means having an operating movement from an operating position to anormal position, the feed means also having a reverse movement, theoperating movement of the strip material feed means engaging the stripmaterial moving a predetermined length of strip material from the supplythereof, actuator means carried kby the cover and movable toward andaway from the feed means, the actuator means having means for firmlyengaging the feed means upon movement of the actuator means toward thefeed means, resilient means attached to the feed means urging operatingmovement thereof from its operating position to its normal position,resilient means attached to the actuator means for causing the actuatormeans to move the feed meansin a reverse movement from its normalposition to its operating position.

References Cited in the fileof this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS WenneckDec. 23, 1952

